Spring Break......Hit the beach?

      As Spring break enters the horizon, for most students no matter their age, the weeks before break have been a time of working out to achieve that "perfect" swimsuit body, shopping for Spring apparel, even for the inexpensive trip to an ideal location and need I say, studying and finishing midterms? For others, the week of Spring break is an ordinary week filled with work meetings and hours relatively close to 9 to 5. Spring break could also be a time to give back to others, such as working at a soup kitchen, building homes, working for your church, volunteering at a local hospital and many other options. This aspect of Spring break is most intriguing to me, volunteering. There is something rather rewarding about helping someone else. Especially, when you look at the alternative of Spring break, which involves long days of partying. Although, one would not expect partying to be tiring, but the idea of 9 plus hours of nonstop fun has to be draining, right? We were all children at one point of our lives. Do you remember how tired you were after playing all day long? What do you think the purpose of the nap was? Well, I digress! Everyone has a different definition of "kicking back" and they should enjoy themselves. But after searching for some more productive Spring break options, I came across the following: 


Sponsored by United Way and involves working with children at various Boy and Girls clubs across the States. 

http://www.unitedway.org/take-action/alternative-spring-break

Another,

Sponsored by Habitat for Humanity

http://www.habitat.org/youthprograms/ages_14_25/default_collegiate_challenge.aspx

And lastly,

If you have the time and resources, why not consider traveling abroad?

http://www.crossculturalsolutions.org/volunteering-abroad/when/spring-break.aspx

      These are just a few alternative Spring break options to choose from. Also, if you are a college student, there are typically organized programs and trips within your school, for those interested in a break that is beneficial for others, as well as, yourself. What a great way to make a difference, make your parents proud, actually be able to remember the events of the week, share stories and pictures from Spring break with your parents, have tons of fun--you wouldn't believe how much fun volunteering could be! Plus, make friendships that could last a lifetime.

        "Be the change you want to see in the world." - Mahatma Gandhi